Which of the following best demonstrates continuity during prenatal development?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement:
Which of the following best demonstrates continuity during prenatal development?

Answer options:
1) The fetus exhibits the same behaviors--kicking, swallowing, and \"breathing\"--throughout prenatal development.
2) the three distinct prenatal stages.
3) the presence of amniotic fluid throughout prenatal development
4) the fact that the embryo and fetus moves

Analysis of each option:
Option 1: The fetus exhibits the same behaviors--kicking, swallowing, and \"breathing\"--throughout prenatal development.
- This option would imply that there is no change or progression in behavior over time, which contradicts the idea of development occurring gradually and continuously. In prenatal development, many capabilities and patterns evolve, so describing behavior as unchanged misrepresents continuity and growth rather than preserving it.

Option 2: the three distinct prenatal stages.
- This statement highlights discrete, separate stages rather than a smooth, ongoing process. Continuity emphasizes a gradual progression without sharp breaks, so labeling prenatal development as three distinct stages suggests discontinuity rather than continuity.

Option 3: the presence of amniotic fluid throughout prenatal development
- Amniotic fluid provides a constant environment for the developing embryo/fetus, which is a stable factor across time. However, this describes a constant condition rather than the developmental process itself. It does not directly illustrate the continuity of developmental change or the ongoing progression of abilities, so it’s a weaker demonstration of continuity about development.

Option 4: the fact that the embryo and fetus moves
- Movement from the embryo phase into the fetus phase reflects a continuous, ongoing process of motor development and physical activity that persists across prenatal life. This aligns with the concept of continuity, as it signals a sustained, gradual progression rather than abrupt, separate changes. Movement illustrates persistence and gradual refinement over time, which is characteristic of continuous development.

Summary of why options 1–3 are less appropriate than option 4:
- Option 1 falsely asserts invariance in behavior over time, opposing the idea of continuous development.
- Option 2 emphasizes discrete stages, which contradicts continuity.
- Option 3 notes a constant environmental feature rather than a developmental trajectory, so it fails to illustrate the ongoing nature of prenatal growth.

Therefore, option 4 best demonstrates continuity during prenatal development.

Which of the following best demonstrates continuity during prenatal development?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Sidney is expecting her first child. She has recently begun to feel the fetus kicking. Sidney's current stage of pregnancy would fall under which period of prenatal development?

A study by Reissland and colleagues (2011) used 4D ultrasound to examine whether facial expressions develop before birth. What did they find?

Harry was a preterm newborn who was born after 26 weeks of prenatal development. He is now a healthy, happy 2-year-old. Harry's ability to survive after being born so early was due in part to his reaching the _____.

The longest period of prenatal development is the _____ period.

Cindy is doing a presentation on prenatal development and wants to include the three main periods of prenatal development in order from conception to birth. In which order should Cindy list the periods?

While in utero, a fetus can:

Which sequence lists the periods of prenatal development in the CORRECT developmental progression from earliest to latest?

Identify the bond angle and molecular shape of H2O.

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler